Bonus Part 5

The Wedding

Eight months. That's how long I've been waiting for this day. Eight months since Katniss said yes. It's been a long eight months. Filled with planning and stress. There have been a few tense moments between us but overall we both know it is just the stress of planning that caused them and have quickly forgiven and forgotten. It all seems so silly now. No matter what decisions we had made in those planning stages really don't matter now. All that matters is that in only a few moments Katniss will be my wife.

I'm standing on the sand, still warm from the heat of the day; we opted for a barefoot wedding on the beach. The sun is beginning it's descent in the sky, every second it gets closer to the horizon and the colors morph into my favorite shade of orange. Off to the side of the waiting crowd is the acoustic guitar player we hired plays soft and beautiful melodies.

Annie walks towards me first. I see her kind eyes land on me before flitting off to Finnick beside me. Annie and Katniss became fast friends. Finnick and Annie have visited us often since I moved here.

Johanna walks next. She gives me a snarky smile as she saunters towards me. I know she's eyeing up my brothers, Rye specifically, who are standing next to Finnick. Rye and Markus haven't been back since that vacation years ago and I can only imagine the dirty things running through his and Johanna's heads as they stare each other down.

Prim, my sister-to-be, floats down the aisle, looking every bit like the angel she is. She gives me a bright smile, her eyes already shining with happy tears. She looks beautiful. She mouths to me.

She always does. Today is no exception; today she will be beautiful as she always is. But today her beauty will only be enhanced by the fact that today she is my bride.

The guitar player changes his song and everyone stands. I look off into the distance. Towards the hotel she'll be emerging from.

It wouldn't have mattered how many people told me how beautiful she looks…nothing could have prepared me for the moment she comes into view. Breathtaking. Literally. I gasp quietly at the sight of her petite figure swathed in flowing white. Her dress is very simple, empire waist and strapless. But in the slight breeze it floats behind her. Her hair has been curled and pinned in a bun at the nape of her neck with a few pieces pulled and curled to encircle her face in the way that I love. Her makeup is simple and natural and enhances her natural beauty, making her grey eyes twinkle.

Her mother walks beside her, arms linked, with a sad smile. I know she is wishing Katniss' dad were here to walk Katniss down the aisle today.

I catch Katniss' eyes and she smiles wide. I can tell she's impatient with the slow pace so I chuckle silently.

It seems to take forever before she finally stands before me. Her mother passes her off to me and I eagerly take her hand in mine. We turn to face each other and the minister begins to speak.

"Dearly beloved…"

You look beautiful. I mouth.

Thanks. Not so bad yourself.

I love you.

I love you too.

"Peter please repeat after me." Katniss chortles quietly at his use of my proper name. "I Peter, take thee Katniss."

"I Peeta, take thee Katniss."

"To be my lawfully wedded wife." Repeat. "For richer or poorer." Repeat. "In sickness and in health." Repeat. "Till death parts us." Repeat.

"Now Katniss. I Katniss, take thee Peeta." Repeat. "To be my lawfully wedded husband." Repeat. "For richer or poorer." Repeat. "In sickness and in health." Repeat. "Till death parts us." Repeat.

I gently slip the silver band onto Katniss' finger; next to the engagement ring I gave her eight months ago. Lightly she slips a matching ring onto my finger and it's weight is welcome.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. Peter you may kiss your bride."

With one hand on the small of her back and one on her cheek—careful not to entwine them into her elaborate hairstyle—I pull her lips to mine in a tender, loving, and chaste kiss. The cheers that have erupted around us fade away and all I know is my wife in my arms.

We pull away when the minister announces, "For the first time I am pleased to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Peter Mellark."

I can hear Katniss snicker beside me and I squeeze her hand affectionately. I look out into the audience to see my Dad's shining face. He wipes away a few stray tears as he beams at us. We walk down the aisle and into the hotel lobby. The rest of the wedding party follows and the receiving line begins. Everyone passes by in a blur of thank you, congratulations, you look so handsome, you're wife is so beautiful, etc. I shake every hand and accept every compliment. All the while Katniss' hand is entwined with mine, my thumb softly stroking the skin near her thumb. Occasionally she squeezes my hand and I return it.

When the receiving line is done we are pulled away for pictures in the last remaining moments of sun. The photographer gathers us all quickly and arranges and rearranges us with impressive speed. There is no time for milling about.

The sun finally sets and the photographer ushers us inside for more pictures in the beautiful lobby.

Finally it is time for the reception. A late dinner before dancing. The rest of the wedding party makes their entrance with a brief introduction from the MC. When it is just Katniss and I we share a short kiss.

"You look so beautiful Mrs. Mellark." I whisper.

"I like the sound of that." She smiles.

"Me too."

"Now ladies and gentlemen. Please rise and give a warm welcome to Mr. and Mrs. Peeta Mellark." The MC announces with an emphasis on Peeta, a clear jibe to the minister.

Everyone claps, cheers, and whistles as we enter the ballroom. The happy faces of our friends and family surround us. It amazes me how many of them flew out here for us.

Then again it probably doesn't hurt that we decide to get married in Mexico. Everyone loves an excuse to go on vacation.

I hold Katniss' hand tight as we make our way towards the head table. The decorations are lovely. Prim and Mrs. Everdeen did a great job. We seat ourselves at the center of the head table, our wedding party on either side. After a quick speech from the MC the servers begin distributing dinner and the entire room is filled with the sounds of happy chatter and moans of appreciation at the exquisite food.

Dinner is followed by speeches. My Dad and Mrs. Everdeen give heartwarming 'welcome to the family' speeches. Finnick and Prim give the toasts to the bride and groom. The cliché photo's of us over the years video plays and everyone oohs and aahs and laugh as the video progresses. To the delight of the guests we play a few wedding games. Awkwardly I reach under her dress and remove her garter. I know that my cheeks remain red for a long time afterwards. Katniss does the bouquet toss and the single women scream and claw at each other in the most frightening way.

The MC announces that everyone gather around for the first dance so I join Katniss in the center of the dance floor. I gather her in my arms and the soft melody fills the ballroom.

"How are you doing Mrs. Mellark?" I whisper in to her ear.

"Excellent. How are you Mr. Mellark?"

"Wonderful. I have the most beautiful woman in the world in my arms. Today the world is perfect."

"You're so cheesy." She laughs.

"And you're stuck with me." I chuckle lightly as I spin her around before pulling her back. "Forever."

"On no. What on earth will I do?" She deadpans with a smirk.

"I don't know." I smile warmly at my beautiful bride.

The song eventually comes to an end and Katniss and I are passed from guest to guest. Everyone wants to dance with the bride and groom.

The dancing goes late into the night. The drinks are flowing and quite a few of the guests are very inebriated. Jo and Rye for one. I know that the second Katniss and I take off Jo and Rye will stumble up to a room somewhere.

When midnight comes Katniss and I decide to head on up to the honeymoon suite. We say our goodbyes. We thank everyone for coming and tell them we'll see them after the honeymoon. Hand in hand Katniss and I leave the ballroom and take the elevator to the top floor.

The elevator pings and we step out onto the top floor.

There are six honeymoon suites on this level.

"Number 5." I read off the key.

We wander down the hall until we are standing in front of the door. My hand trembles slightly as I unlock the door. I push it open and before Katniss can walk in I sweep her off her feet.

She startles and laughs in response. "Put me down!"

"Can't. It's tradition."

"Cornball." She mutters. I laugh as I carry her over the threshold and into our new life together.